Sportsline

I'm going against the public. ...

Two big nations, hard to separate, this seems so likely …

All five of Levi Rodrigues Jr's MMA wins have come by TKO...

Tommy McMillen is 10-0 with nine wins by stoppage...

Argentina's recent performances have been concerning. ...

Jared Cannonier is 1-3 in his last four fights...

Will Dricus Du Plessis' size advantage be the difference vs. Kamaru Usman?...

I'm not betting against Argentina. ...

I keep seeing the argument that Spain have only conceded once this World Cup so we should expect this to be low-scoring cagey and I just don't agree with that. To be frank, Spain have not been tested. They haven't had to play against a truly incredible attack, and now they will be facing the best front three in world football. France will score this match and that will force Spain to press. I expect France to get at least two goals in this match, and Spain possess the talent to score themselves. I expect this to close around -130.

Over 2.5 goals has paid off in the last three games between these teams. France beat Spain 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League final in 2021, but Spain gained revenged with a 2-1 victory over France in the semifinals of Euro 2024. Spain then beat France 5-4 in the UEFA Nations League semifinals last year. France have scored 2.67 goals per game at the 2026 World Cup, and they should have enough firepower to unlock Spain's stubborn defense, with Kylian Mbappé leading the charge. Spain have scored 1.83 goals per game, and they're surging with momentum right now, so -110 looks like a tempting price on over 2.5 goals.

What a wonderful semifinal matchup outside Dallas on Tuesday. The only countries in the event yet to trail. So evenly matched that I almost passed but I'm gonna want a rooting interest so here we are. Spain won the last meeting 5-4 in the 2025 Nations League Final. I'm pretty darn sure we will not see nine goals Tuesday, although that would be fantastic. And I am going to lean Les Bleus simply as they have more offensive firepower. La Roja have looked a little ragged at times in that regard but are dynamic defensively. France won the lone WC meeting in 2006.

France have been the favorites for the entirety of this World Cup and I don't see that changing as we get to the semi-finals. Spain have been fantastic, especially defensively, but they still have yet to find true consistency. They also haven't played an attack near as strong as France yet in this competition. Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise are the best front three on the planet, and they will not slow down against Spain. I expect them to break through, and while it won't be easy, I expect them to advance in regulation.

I was shocked to see France priced at -150 for draw no bet market. I have a hard time believing Spain beat them in regulation. If Spain advance, I think it comes through extra time or penalties. France’s attack, led by Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé, is one of the best in the tournament. Spain have conceded just once, but Belgium still created several dangerous moments against them. I have also been underwhelmed by Spain’s attack, while Lamine Yamal has struggled to consistently create for others. France have already survived tougher tests, and this will be Spain’s most difficult match yet. At this price, France draw no bet is the play.

Probably safe in saying that the Pirates will cash for us in the early game currently leading by nine runs so will go ahead and spin that $$ into this to close out the first half (no Sunday night game). Toronto's Kevin Gausman is 2-4 with a 5.57 ERA away - and a few Padres led by Fernando Tatis Jr. (8-for-20, two HR) have good splits off Gausman. Jays leadoff hitter George Springer is sitting. End of a long West Coast trip as well for Toronto.

Caesar’s. Mackenzie Gore stepped up for the Rangers to start on short rest today, but I can’t see Texas pushing him to the limit, with the bullpen rested enough. Gore struggles enough with his pitch efficiency (3.99 per plate appearance) that he’d likely need to remain highly effective to finish five innings today. This will be Gore’s first MLB start on three days rest.

DraftKings. Noah Schultz is under this line in 7/10 starts this season. With a .227 average allowed and 13.8% walk rate, Schultz has only allowed a hit every 5.4 plate appearances, despite his gaudy 6.00 ERA. He’ll face the Athletics in Chicago today, the latter part being key: the A’s have drastic home/road splits against lefties, hitting only .207 on the road (.286 at home). Schultz shouldn’t have a long leash today with the All-Star break looming (and long relief options rested) - I have the tall lefty projected safely at five hits allowed.

I can't help but back surging Twins starter Taj Bradley, who has struck out 21 batters over two starts this month. Minnesota has won each of Bradley's last five starts, while Los Angeles has lost four of Jose Soriano's last five road starts. The Twins are tied for the American League's last Wild Card spot and only three games out of first place in the AL Central, so another win against a poor Angels team would put them in a fine spot heading into the All-Star Break. Backing Bradley seems like a good formula to end the first half of the 2026 season in style.

Twins starter Taj Bradley has given up only six runs on 16 hits over his last four starts (24 innings). He faces an Angels team that’s posted a poor .580 OPS vs. RHPs in July. Conversely, the Twins’ OPS is .782 – over 200 points higher – and Jose Soriano’s hot season start has cooled big-time. Minnesota has a decided bullpen edge here as well.

The New York Mets have lost both games in their series against the Red Sox where they have totaled just two runs. Payton Tolle has had issues at home in two out of his last three starts. This includes his last home outing where he gave up six runs and two home runs in just three innings of work. Value play here on the veteran Wagaman hitting a home run.

All three of the Cincinnati Reds runs yesterday came via the home run against the Chicago Cubs. Friday was a similar occurrence as three of their four runs came via home runs from JJ Bleday and Elly De La Cruz. Twenty four hits through the first two games against the Cubs has had a wide range of players produce. Look for Marte with Saturday off to be the latest to have an effective game against the Cubs. Take his combination line over today.

Kahlil Watson started the month with a multi hit game against the Texas Rangers. It has been the only game this month he has done so, as he is hitting .147 in the month of July. Yet he did get a double in yesterday’s win over the Miami Marlins. Look for that to be a spark for Watson who did show at the tail end of June he can be a streaky hitter, when he had a hit in seven straight games. Take Watson over on his combination line.

The Miami Marlins had the most wins in MLB in the month of June, and had a six game winning streak snapped by the Cleveland Guardians. The Guardians pitching has limited the Marlins to just three total runs through the first two games. Value play here on Cleveland as the Marlins have not been swept at home yet this season.

Mets rookie Zach Thornton pitched a gem in his second career game on June 26 vs. the Phillies. But now he gets the Red Sox, who are crushing left-handers to the tune of a .936 OPS this month. The Mets’ bullpen in July is a hilarious 10.70. Boston needs to score runs here, while Sox LHP Peyton Tolle, who has a 2.87 ERA on the road, can limit a Mets lineup that's managed two runs so far this series.